How BIM Works in Construction
How BIM Works in Construction Building Information Modeling (BIM) has emerged as a transformative force in the construction industry, revolutionizing the way projects are conceived, designed, and...
Published: April 28, 2023
The BIM Shortfall, no Qualified Detailers
Building Information Modeling (BIM) has become an integral part of the construction industry, providing a digital platform for subcontractors, architects, engineers, and building owners to work together and deliver high-quality, functional, and cost-effective buildings and structures. One of the key components of BIM is detailing, which involves the creation of accurate and constructible models of the building systems and structure. However, despite the growing demand for BIM services, the construction industry is facing a shortage of qualified detailers.
There are several factors that contribute to the shortage of detailers in BIM. One of the main factors is the increasing demand for BIM services in the construction industry. As construction projects adopt BIM, the demand for detailers who can create accurate and comprehensive models of the building components has increased significantly. Particularly for those with field experience in a specific trade. This has created a high demand for detailers, but a limited pool of trained and experienced professionals to meet that demand. The last thing a contractor wants to do is turn down 10,000 hours of work because they cannot get 1,800 hours of BIM detailing done.
Another factor contributing to the shortage of detailers in BIM is the high level of technical skills required for the role. BIM detailing is a complex and technical process that requires a high level of knowledge and experience in the building trades as well as software such as Revit, Navisworks, and a variety of other programs used for the prefabrication effort. Let's be honest subcontractors that do BIM, but don’t prefab, are just leaving money on the table. They are leaving a lot of money on the table. Detailers must also have the ability to handle high levels of stress and tap into the knowledge they gained in the field. Asking themselves, how would I have built this in the field? Understanding just because we can draw something on the computer doesn’t mean we can build it and get it to pass inspection. This high level of technical and practical skills is a significant barrier to entry, and the shortage of detailers is due in part to the limited pool of individuals with these necessary skills and experience. That’s where a company like ICON-BIM comes in. We have over 35 field-experienced Detailers with over 600 years of combined construction industry experience. Building a BIM department can be a painstaking process. You finally build a great BIM team and then a lull in projects comes and you must let people go. A provider like ICON-BIM can help eliminate those peaks and valleys we see so often in construction. Many of the largest contractors in the nation have found this to be the best way to keep a core group on their team and expand and contract with a highly skilled provider that matches if not surpasses their expertise internally.
In addition to the high level of technical skills required, the shortage of detailers in BIM is due to the limited availability of proper training. We can draw a pipe through a shear wall in Revit, but can we find the details of the boundary element in that shear wall in the structural drawings? You won’t learn that in most Revit courses. The list goes on and on, field weld locations, tube pulls on chillers, where do we leave outs in case equipment placement isn’t exact, how do I write an RFI to benefit my employer most, how do I keep up with proper document management on a project? While some Trade Unions, colleges, and universities offer BIM and related courses, these programs may not cover the aspects of what really makes a Detailer valuable. Anyone can learn to draw pipe or duct in Revit, but can we build it? A level of hands-on training and experience is necessary to become a successful detailer. Furthermore, most detailers enter the field through on-the-job training after working in the field for a while, rather than through formal education. This can create a shortage of detailers, as the pool of individuals with the necessary skills and experience is limited. Particularly, with so many people in construction retiring in the next 10 years. For example, a welder makes a great piping Detailer. The average age of a UA welder is 55. As the majority of people in the trades start to retire, where is the industry going to fill the gap? Partnering with ICON-BIM you won’t have to worry about that. When you have an A-team like we do it is easy to attract top-tier talent from across the nation.
To address the shortage of detailers in BIM, the construction industry must take a proactive approach to training and education. This may involve investing in training and education programs for current and future detailers, as well as offering incentives and benefits to encourage individuals to pursue a career in BIM. The industry could also consider partnerships with colleges and universities to create BIM-specific courses and programs, or to provide funding for BIM-related research and development. I hope the trade unions are paying attention because a lot of companies are running upwards of 40% of their labor through their fabrication shops. The primary driving factor for all that prefab is BIM Detailers.
The shortage of qualified detailers in Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a significant challenge facing the construction industry. The high demand for BIM services, the complex technical skills required, and the limited availability of proper training are all contributing factors to this shortage. However, by partnering with a provider such as ICON-BIM, contractors can access a team of experienced and skilled detailers to support their BIM needs. It is essential for the industry to take a proactive approach to training and education to address this issue. Investing in programs that promote the benefits of a career in BIM and partnering with colleges and universities to create BIM-specific courses and programs can help attract a new generation of skilled and talented detailers to fill the current and future demand for BIM services. Moreover, providing incentives and benefits for individuals to pursue a career in BIM can help alleviate the shortage of qualified detailers and ensure the future of BIM in the construction industry.
Furthermore, the construction industry needs to recognize the importance of BIM in the construction process and the role of detailers in achieving its potential benefits. By understanding the value of BIM and its ability to deliver high-quality, cost-effective buildings and structures, the industry can prioritize the need for detailers and invest in their training and development.
Overall, addressing the shortfall of qualified detailers in BIM requires a multifaceted approach. By partnering with providers like ICON-BIM subcontractors can avoid these pain points and have a competitive advantage against their competitors. We also like to get out and play golf too, so there is that. If you want to learn more about ICON-BIM visit our website.
